judge – Moment to Moment (Bible blog)

Our King and Priest

Today, we see one of the most famous Messianic psalms. Jesus, himself quoted Psalm 110 in posing a puzzle to the Pharisees (Matthew 22:41-45).

And here, Yahweh (the LORD, that is, God the Father) says to the Messiah (David’s Lord),

Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet. (Psalm 110:1)

In ancient times, a victorious king would put his foot on his defeated enemy’s neck. And so God promises victory to Jesus over his enemies, and that his rule would extend throughout the earth, even over those who would rebel against him. (2)

But in verse 4, we see that Jesus is not only a king, but a priest as well.

Jesus, however, is not an Aaronic priest. Rather, God the Father decrees him as a priest in the order of Melchizedek, who was both a king and priest in the time of Abraham.

Although David was a great king, and though at times he did things that priests did (offering sacrifices and blessing people in the name of the Lord) as did his son Solomon, neither were truly priests.

But Jesus is both our King and Priest. And unlike the Aaronic priesthood, his priesthood will last forever because he himself is from everlasting to everlasting (Hebrews 7:24).

In verse 6, it goes on to say that in the last days, he will judge the nations. On that day, each person will have to stand before his throne to be judged.

The good news is that as our high priest, he is also the one interceding on our behalf before the Father. And so we don’t need to come before God with fear. Rather, as the writer of Hebrews puts it,

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

Lord Jesus, thank you that not only are you my King and Lord, and not only are you my judge, but you are my high priest as well.

Thank you that you intercede for me daily, and that by your blood shed on the cross, my sins have been wiped clean. Thank you for all that you’ve done.

But more than that, thank you for being who you are. In your name I pray, amen.

Letting God be the judge

One thing that we generally see in David’s life is that he let God be the judge. He rarely went out to take things into his own hands. (The lone exception being when Abigail had to stop him from taking revenge on her husband Nabal).

And here we see this same attitude. Though people were pursuing him to kill him, yet he placed himself and his enemies in God’s hands, letting Him be the judge between them.

David wrote,

Awake, my God; decree justice.

Let the assembled peoples gather around you, while you sit enthroned over them on high.

Let the Lord judge the peoples.

Vindicate me, Lord, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High. (Psalm 7:6-8)

He then expresses his confidence that God, “who probes minds and hearts” (9) would judge justly, bringing the evil people plan back upon themselves. He then finishes with praise, singing,

I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High. (Psalm 7:17)

Let us be like David, trusting in the one who searches hearts and minds, and leaving judgment to him.

Thoughts of revenge will only consume us and take away our joy. But when we leave things in the hands of the One who judges justly, we can find peace and joy through the most difficult of circumstances.